My Ugh-ly Afhghan - Part 1

For some reason I learned many other things before learning to make a granny square in crochet. I'm not sure why, as it's one of the most basic things there is in the craft, and the concept of making motifs and putting them together is one of the other basics of the craft.

So I decided to do some stash busting of some hideous hand me down yarns, namely some Red Heart Acrylic, in Lavender, Emerald Green, a Bright Sun Yellow, and some left over Impeccable Worsted in a super dark Navy Blue.

Perhaps had I not added the navy blue, it might have been visually tolerable. As it is it's a little much. But that's the point of this project, it's not meant to be "pretty" so much as an experimentation.

Part 1: Making the Squares...Thus far we have 1 solid colored, 4 round Granny square of each color. And we have started on the 2-colored ones.

A Fine Day for Filet...

...for filet crochet that is....

I woke this morning with bats on the brain. Did it help that I had a miniature "Batman" marathon last night? (And by the way I think I understand why some folks don't care for the latter 2 movies in the four - they do seem full of ridiculous quips, one-liners, and bad jokes/references; unlike the first with with one my girlhood crushes - Michael Keaton - that were much more serious and dark).

Ce la vie...

But away from my digression and back to the fact that I was rambling about bats!

I just HAD to mess around with some filet crochet today. Mind you I have heard of it, know what is, and am now as we speak understanding the finer points of it, thank you Debbie Stoller!

So I'm sitting here with some "scrap" variegated wool yarn, a "G" hook and making my first bat :D

*Pictures soon!* (also you can check me out on Ravelry here!)

Earth Meets Sea Purse

I started this project a bit over a week ago. I originally had seen the pattern on a yarn label and knew I "had to have it". I fretted over whether to buy the yarn or not just to get the pattern.

Then I got an order in from someone who wanted to use that brand of yarn. I crossed my fingers that she (who was buying the yarn and sending it to me) would pick up one with the label I wanted with it. Alas not.

So finally I broke down and seeing it on sale "splurged" for it. I bought a color I liked, but my real reason for buying the yarn was just to get the pattern. (An aside, just today I saw the pattern online so I could have saved myself even more money, ah well...)

When I started it I realized I didn't have enough yarn to finish it, but figured what the hey, I'll get as far as I can get and just get more. I was considering just keeping the finished product for myself, but a stroke of inspiration changed my mind. I had some left over yarn from my a custom order and those colors happen to be a wonderful "sea" color, while the original skein I bought is "earth" colors. And so voila!

Currently @ row 12 of 18, then the sides to make and assembly. Really excited, will definitely be making more of these in the future!

If you like what you see and want one in another color "convo" me @ Faith Works on Etsy!

Dionysian Scarf....

This project has been long in wait as I've been wanting and needing to make myself something for a change, as well as figure out a way to pay homage. So here we have it, quite one of a kind and never to be reproduced again, but a really neat project none the less!

It's front and back post raised double crochet, with the grapes made out of puff stitches. Rowan Big Wool and Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky Naturals were used in this pattern giving it a wonderfully soft and ultra warm feel - perfect for winter time!

If you're interested in a pattern like this (that features the ribbed pattern or the type of yarn or both) feel free to convo me on Etsy.com, while I will not reproduce this pattern I can custom make another of the same basic concept!

Don't forget to visit our store for other neat gifts for the season!

Faith Works

How Much is the GaBu in the Window?

I made enough of them to do this and I just couldn't help myself! They're just TOO cute!

You know you want one!

Goal: Make an army of GaBu and take over the world - support our cause! Adopt yours today!

Faith Works on Etsy

Fire Wand for Ashley

To date I've made 2 wands (the one pictured above and another for myself). And though I'm not much of a "wand witch" every now and again I am struck with inspiration to make one.

This one in particular is a "fire wand" and was made the with purpose to greater harness and connect with that element. The Witch is an earth sign, Capricorn, and I was directed to make this for her and gift it. It features a tumbled carnelian at it's top and copper foil and wire, wrapped around as well as white ribbon and a braided length of embroidery thread.

Interested in a wand, contact the store!

Cerridwen Goddess Box

A piece of artwork I did some time ago and gifted to a fellow Witch. It is a rendition of Cerridwen who is sacred to her.

This is in a series of "Goddess Boxes" that double both as storage and altars. Great for the Witch on the go, and especially those in college who may have minimal space to work with!

If you're interested in having one made, start a conversation with me on Etsy here.

Butterfly Crochet Hemp and Wire Necklace

O what happens when you have an artist, surrounded by various tools and other supplies? Interesting and new creations! I personally love butterflies and upon seeing a packet of 3 different butterfly pendants I had to have it. So I bought it and it sat in my crafting supply area for months. Then one morning I got this crazy idea and there we have it.

If you like this type of design, check out our sister store PhoenixFlame Healing Center on Etsy or you can request one from us @ Faith Works on Etsy!

Progress...

It's almost as though it was just yesterday that I was picking up my hook and beginning to crochet again. Forever a lover of handicrafts I remember long ago when I first began to try to crochet. I never really made anything worthwhile, and for the life of me I could not understand the pattern instructions and why all my scarves turned into little triangles (though I'm glad to say I've mastered the art of the turning chain :D ).

But though I started and fiddled with it then I never really got off the ground with it...then years later I picked it up, understanding a little better some of my earlier mistakes, but again, my affair with crochet was short lived - in favor of other things...

Years upon years later I now sit before you 24 and the proud owner of my own business and a healing center. My love of handicrafts has again led me down the path to meet with my old lover, crochet. But this time we have stuck together the whole way through. Now all those seemingly cryptological abbreviations and directions suddenly make sense (although I'm sure it has something to do with me actually doing research and reading the directions, lol o our impatient youth!) I am constantly making everything I can, and at times dreaming up my own designs.

It seems as though I've come so far, for it was just January of this year that I finally avidly started my "pipe dream" business. It'd long been in the workings of my mind, my logical side desperately trying to plan everything just right before embarking - but I decided this time to give in to my creative side, to hell with the planning and just go for it...and here I am 9 months later after much gestation, giving birth to my ideas beautiful and loved...

It's funny how this all comes about, though we may not see it or plan for it, or even consider that anything of the sort could come our way - it does and we are amazed at the results we receive...

So a big hip hip hoorah to all of those who have purchased from me and all of those who will!

A gracious and deep thank you to the Universe and myself for manifesting my desires and dreaming these bright, beautiful dreams!

Scrap Designs for the Home - Plastic Bag Holder

Always trying to reuse and recycle, even down to the last bits of yarn I have lying around I found a pattern for a plastic bag holder. Why not?

Though this item will be made available in my shop, I'll be sticking to 1 color for the first ones and then move on to different colors, and maybe even a special yarn.

This particular version is made of 100% acrylic, but I will more than likely switch over to a cotton or other natural fiber so that the product is more eco-friendly. I also plan to add embellishments upon the design later, but also making some improvements (such as onto the handle - which in many designs can come out not as sturdy as we'd like.)

If you're interested in one for your kitchen or home start a conversation on Etsy with me! That way you can pick the colors and we can discuss any possible other designs or embellishments you may be interested in, such as a picture, flowers, etc)

Ode to Pink - Across Generations

It's funny the things that happen to us as we age...

This piece is a tribute to my mother and grandmother - both collectors and crafters. I come from a line of Capricorn women, both of which made things, starting with needlework, quilting, and sewing with my grandmother and on to ceramics, pottery, and glass work with my mother (who was a jack of all trades and proficient in many!)

Being raised around such inspirational women instilled a deep love of art within me at an early age. Always the DIYer I was ever trying out new things from pieces and knick knacks around the house.

This piece features glass beads I got from my grandmother, and a chain from my mother. In the background is a chalice wheel thrown by my mother, and the foreground, some owl statues my grandmother owned.

This is a "front clasp" piece, so it's meant to open in the front, rather than like a traditional necklace. I have a knack for the abstract and like to be a little off center - I feel this construct gives the necklace a personal touch, bridging the ties between the three generations...

Dancer's Anklet...

Another new "doo-dad" I came up with the other day :D It's a lovely, yet simple design that draws attention to the ankle but also simply adorns it with a little frill. Dainty & eye pleasing :D!

Soon available in bracelet sizes, as a garter, and in a multitude of colors!

Another Custom Order Baby Blanket - Pretty Stripes!

Yet another baby blanket and hat set, custom order for a long time friend's first daughter. Originally featuring white, brown, and pink I substituted a off white color for the white (knowing all too well that babies spit up on everything ;o ). Reminiscent of neopolitan ice cream, it's delightfully "girlie" without being frilly.

Like what you see? Order yours today by starting a conversation with our store on Etsy!

Custom Order Baby Blanket - Sock Monkey Motif!

Long awaited and overdue...this blanket and hat set is made for an old friend of mine who just recently had her first baby, a girl named Dawn Eliza. Monkeys, particularly sock monkeys are a fairly unisex decoration and come on, just plain classic! More importantly though, it was just too cute to pass up! Unfortunately though, the yarn called for in the pattern is no longer available {the company discontinued it :( } :{> (had to interject smiley with moustache & goatie). Therefore the dimensions are a little skewed from the original, but we still think it looks pretty cute :D.

Want one? Visit our store, start a conversation and request yours today!

Attack of the Grannies!

Recently I went on vacation and was away from my store for awhile...

Prior to going on vacation however, I decided to experiment more closely with the concept of the "granny square" (previously I'd not made any projects that had required one so I was familiar with it in theory though not in application)...

However, as any enthusiast, I took to it quite well and made several :D

The first is composed entirely of scraps from various projects and more pictures will be posted as the square grows ever larger. The second is just of blue and purple, both of which I had a lot left over of so I wanted to make a new and separate square. The final picture is an experiment at a "pot holder" type that also is made from scrap.

If you like what you see let me know and I will add some so the store ;)

Butterfly Car Dangly!

Okay, so this isn't for sale, really it's a "spoil myself project" but someone's got to do it...however. If interest is shown in the design concept I'll be happy to make more (though each one will be different because I want to keep them all "original")

But, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I'm madly in love with butterflies, particularly monarchs and so voila!

<3 Handmade!

Hey you guys! I just entered a contest on Etsy for a "Handmade Moment" promotional video!

Come by and watch mine and show your support (vote for me! :D)

Thanks for all of your support!

Naware

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Faith Works

Faith Works & Cottage Crafts Collaboration

As sometimes happens, arts from different mediums will get together to work on group projects. Each adding "their little something" to the whole and thereby making something that neither could do alone.

This hanging platter, (though finished posthumously of one of the artists) is something that I have finally gotten off of my "to do list" as an artist. Ever a fan of eclectic home decor I thought it would look nice suspended from a ceiling (though not outside because it's only so durable). I used a 48 lb, 3 ply black jute fiber to suspend it and worked in a variety of half knots and over hand knots. The platter itself is white stoneware, with a flower, root, and various other shapes pressed into it. It is glazed on the top only with a red glaze with white splotches.

Aradia Goseling did the knotwork and Stephanie Wheeler made the platter.